22. At its fifty-third session, the Committee considered the situation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia and Rwanda and adopted decisions. In addition, the Committee made
requests for additional information from Australia and the Czech Republic under
this agenda item.

Decision 3 (53) on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,

Considering the grave developments in Kosovo and Metohija since the adoption
of its concluding observations on 30 March 1998 concerning the report submitted
by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

Referring to its concluding observations of 30 March 1998 concerning the report
submitted by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

Also referring to general recommendation XXI (48) of 8 March 1996,

Noting Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) of 31 March 1998,

1. Calls upon the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the
leadership of the Albanian community in Kosovo and Metohija to stop immediately
all military and paramilitary activities or hostilities and to enter into negotiations
on a just and lasting solution for Kosovo and Metohija, which shall include
a status of the highest level of autonomy which will make it possible for everyone
to enjoy human rights and in particular to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination;

2. Reaffirms that questions relating to Kosovo and Metohija can be resolved
only by peaceful political means in accordance with international standards
in the field of protection of human rights, in particular with respect to the
elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, and should be based on respect
for the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;

3. Further reaffirms that all people who have been displaced or who have become
refugees have the right to return safely to their homes and properties and to
receive assistance to do, and to be compensated appropriately for any such property
that cannot be restored to them;

4. Reiterates its call that the Memorandum of Understanding on the normalization
of education in Kosovo and Metohija, signed by President Milosevic and representatives
of the Albanian population in September 1996, be implemented fully;

5. Expresses its deep concern about:

(a) Persisting grave violations in Kosovo and Metohija of basic human rights,
including the rights set out in articles 5 (a) and (b) of the Convention;

(b) The disproportionate use of force by the State party's law enforcement
agencies and the military against the Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija
which, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has
resulted in numerous violations of the right to life, destruction of property
and in a great number of people being displaced or made refugees, of whom many
are women and children, whose deaths or deprivation of their rights to security
of person and protection against violence or bodily harm cannot be condoned
or justified for whatever reason;

(c) Acts of violence against civilians in Kosovo and Metohija based on ethnic
origin committed by whatever groups or individuals;

6. Requests the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in view of
article 9, paragraph 1, of the International Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to provide it with information about the
attempts that have been undertaken to achieve through a meaningful dialogue
with the Kosovo-Albanian leadership a political solution for the status of Kosovo
and Metohija, including the observance of international human rights, in particular
as enshrined in the Convention. Such information should be submitted by 15 January
1999 so that the Committee can consider it at its session in March 1999.